CN110717703A

CN110717703A - Synchronous delivery system

Info

Publication number: CN110717703A
Application number: CN201910626183.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 托希尔·托赫塔巴耶夫
Original assignee: Zex Europe LLC
Current assignee: Zex Europe LLC
Priority date: 2018-07-11
Filing date: 2019-07-11
Publication date: 2020-01-21
Also published as: US20200019925A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a synchronous delivery system. A method and system for pick-up and delivery of parcels. The system includes a set of vehicles equipped with lockboxes and a set of drones coordinated through backend logistics software and corresponding applications ("apps") running on the user's mobile device. A customer wishing to send a package calls for package pickup using the app. The customer enters the package destination in the app and the QR code is provided in the app on the customer's smartphone. One of a lock box equipped vehicle, a human-driven or autonomous vehicle responds to the pick-up request and drives the vehicle to the customer's location. The lockbox scans the QR code and opens the compartment to allow the customer to place the package inside. Logistic calculations are performed on the back-end server to determine the most efficient routing of the package by driving or by drone flight and deliver the package accordingly.

Description

Synchronous delivery system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims benefits of the priority date of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/696,361 entitled syncronous DELIVERY SYSTEM filed on 11/7/2018 and U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/772,140 filed on 28/11/2018 entitled syncronous delivery SYSTEM.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a package delivery network, and more particularly, to a network of methods and devices for pick-up and delivery of packages, including a set of vehicles equipped with lockboxes and a set of drones, coordinated by backend logistics software and corresponding applications running on a user's mobile device.

Background

Customer preferences have shifted from shopping in malls and large department stores to internet shopping. Today, even grocery shopping is done over the internet, and this trend is expected to continue to accelerate for all shopping types. This dramatic increase in internet shopping has resulted in a corresponding increase in demand for package delivery services. Although conventional package delivery companies have responded with increased capacity, there remains a need for improved package pick-up and delivery services, including easier package pick-up for the sender, especially for packages that can or must be delivered in a timely manner.

Meanwhile, drones have been developed and optimized that exhibit extremely stable and reliable flight characteristics, have reasonable payload carrying capabilities, and can be remotely commanded and/or preprogrammed to navigate and fly almost anywhere. Further, the advent of the "zero-work based" economy has resulted in a large number of vehicle owners wishing to participate in part-time driving jobs that can be initiated and controlled by simply using a smartphone application ("app").

There is now an opportunity to combine the technical capabilities of drones with a fleet of drivers that coordinate applications to meet the needs of fast and efficient package delivery services.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, a method and system for pick-up and delivery of packages is disclosed. The system includes a set of vehicles equipped with lockboxes and a set of drones coordinated by backend logistics software and corresponding application programs ("apps") running on the user's mobile device. Customers who wish to send packages schedule package picks using the app. The customer enters the package destination in the app and the QR code is provided by the app on the customer's smartphone. The driver of one vehicle equipped with a lockbox views the pick-up request in the app and drives the vehicle to the customer's location. The vehicle may also be an unmanned autonomous vehicle equipped with a lockbox. The lock box scans the QR code and opens a compartment in the lock box to allow a customer to place the package inside. Logistic calculations are performed on the back-end server to determine the most efficient routing of packages that are flying by driving or by drone. The package is transported to a destination using a set of drones in communication with a backend server and a set of vehicles equipped with lockboxes.

Additional features of the presently disclosed method and apparatus will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the primary elements of a synchronized delivery system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a top view illustration of a vehicle equipped with a lockbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is an illustration of a side view of a customer dropping a package into a lock box equipped vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration of the lockbox shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is an illustration of an overhead view of the routing of drones and vehicles in a synchronized package delivery system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of picking and delivering packages using a set of vehicles equipped with lockboxes and a set of drones, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A is a top plan view of the lockbox shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6B is a front elevational view of the lockbox of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6C is a side elevational view of the lock box of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the lockbox of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view showing the lock and sensor system of the lockbox of FIG. 3;

fig. 8 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the latch of the lockbox in fig. 3.

Detailed Description

The following discussion of the embodiments of the disclosure directed to a synchronized delivery system is merely exemplary in nature, and is in no way intended to limit the disclosed apparatus or its applications or uses.

As mentioned above, there is a need for a more efficient package delivery service, particularly for timely pick-up and quick delivery of packages. Conventional delivery services meet the needs of long distance transport (i.e., across countries or internationally), but these conventional delivery services require customers to take their packages to a physical delivery point, or arrange for pick-ups one or more days in advance. Further, conventional delivery services operate on the basis of loading the package on a truck, driving the truck to a warehouse, reloading the package to a different truck based on the final package destination, and so on. This operational model means that most parcels take two or more days to reach their destination, and nighttime service is the best service that can be achieved.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the main elements of a synchronized delivery system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The synchronized delivery system 10 overcomes the limitations of conventional delivery services and enables fast, efficient package delivery on demand. Throughout this disclosure, the terms "package" and "bag" are used generically to refer to any item that needs to be delivered from one location to another. Packages can be anything from simple letter envelopes to large business envelopes, to boxes or bags containing shipping items.

Delivery system 10 includes a fleet of vehicles 20 (

vehicles

20A and 20B are shown), each of which includes a lockbox 22 mounted thereon. Lock box 22 is shown mounted on the roof of vehicle 20, but could just as easily be mounted in the bed of a pickup truck, the trunk of vehicle 20, or elsewhere, for example. As used herein, the vehicle 20 can be any type of transportation device such as a truck, automobile, caravan, motorcycle, bicycle, or other device, as desired. As discussed in detail below, the lockbox equipped vehicle 20 may be driven by a driver who wishes to compensate for its engagement and used to pick up and deliver packages and parcels. Vehicle 20 may also be an unmanned autonomous vehicle whose movement is coordinated by an algorithm and a communication system infrastructure that is part of synchronous delivery system 10.

The delivery system 10 also includes a set of drones 30 (

drones

30A and 30B shown), each capable of carrying at least one package 32. As used herein, a drone may be of any type in an air, water, or land vehicle that is capable of carrying a package and that is capable of being remotely or self-guided or otherwise controlled. The drones 30 are equipped with a communication and navigation system that enables each drone 30 to receive respective instructions to fly to a specific location, meet with one of the lockbox equipped vehicles 20, and pick up a package 32 from the vehicle 20 or drop the package 32 to the vehicle 20.

Customer 40, wishing to pick up a package 44 and deliver package 44 to a destination, begins by using an app on his or her smartphone 42 or a system known as a QWQER or other communication device or controller such as a computer, QWQER controller, GPS device, or other device capable of receiving input from the customer. When customer 40 requests a package pickup using QQWR, QWR learns the location of customer 40 based on cellular network signal triangulation, WiFi network affiliation, GPS data available from smartphone 42, or some other technique. The QWQER issues available package pickup opportunities to drivers of a fleet of lockbox equipped vehicles 20. At the same time, customer 40 enters the destination in the QWR app to which package 44 is to be delivered. The customer may also be required to enter other information about the package 44, such as size (dimensions) and appropriate weight. The QWQER app then provides a unique QR code or other unique identifier to the smartphone 42 of the customer 40.

The driver of one of the lockbox equipped vehicles 20 located near the location of customer 40 can accept the pick up job in a QWQER app on the driver's smartphone or mobile device. Then, in the QWRE _ APPs, the driver's routing directions to the customer's location are given in a similar manner to the commonly used ride-hailing apps. When one of the lockbox equipped vehicles 20 arrives at the customer's location, the customer 40 allows the scanner 26 (shown in fig. 2B) on the lockbox 22 to scan the QR code on the smartphone 42. Lockbox 22 then opens the compartment to allow customer 40 to place package 44 within lockbox 22. It should be understood that the lockbox 22 can have a single compartment or multiple compartments as desired. If multiple compartments are provided, it should be further understood that each compartment may include a separate lock controlling access to the respective compartment. Where the participation of the package-issuing customer 40 is ended.

The package 44 may be transported from its origin location to its destination location by any combination of the vehicle 20 and drone 30. As described above, for example, the shipper 40 may drop the package 44 onto the vehicle 20A, then the drone 30A may land on the vehicle 20A, attach the package 44 (or the package 32) thereto by the driver of the vehicle 20A, and then the drone 30A may air the package 44 to its destination. Based on the optimal package routing calculation, one of the drones 30 may be automatically assigned to one of the vehicles 20 by the QWQER system, or the driver of one of the vehicles 20 may request assignment of a drone using the requested function in the QWQER app. As discussed further below, any other combination of vehicle and drone transport is possible based on optimal logistics calculations. In all cases, the QWQER system learns the location of the vehicle 20 (and corresponding lockbox 22) and drone 30 based on GPS data and its communication capabilities. The QWQER system also knows at any time which of the vehicle 20 or drone 30 has each individual package 44, as each transfer or transfer operation is recorded in the QWQER.

A customer 50 desiring to receive a package need not take any action other than, if desired, using a QWQER app to view the location and delivery status of the package. A customer 50 is shown in fig. 1 located in a home 52, which in this case represents the destination location of the package. Of course, the destination location may be a location outside of the home. For example, the destination or delivery location of the package may be an office or other type of building with a fixed street address, or even a person whose location is known only by their phone signal, with the location of the change being tracked via the QQER app.

In the case of transporting a package 32 (or 44) by a drone, one method of delivering the package to a customer 50 involves distributing the drone 30B and the lock box equipped vehicle 20B to the location of the home 52, with the drone 30B and vehicle 20B arriving at approximately the same time coordinated by the QWQER app. At this point, the drone 30B is commanded to land on the lock box 22 and release the package 32. The driver of vehicle 20B then delivers package 32 to customer 50. Alternatively, the drone 30B may rendezvous with the vehicle 20B at a location outside the home 52 (preferably near or along the vehicle-to-home 52 route), so the driver may place the package 32 in the lockbox 22, may drive the lockbox equipped vehicle 20B to the home 52, and the driver may remove the package 32 from the lockbox 22 and deliver to the customer 50. As noted above, in a particular scenario, one of two delivery scenarios for the drone air-borne package is used, depending on the overall logistics environment (where the vehicle 20 and drone 30 are located, and where delivery based on package pick-up and delivery schedules are required). This scenario is also discussed further below.

There are also situations where unmanned aerial vehicle flight is unnecessary, and the package 44 may be taken by one or more vehicles 20 from its origin to its destination. In such cases, the driver of vehicle 20B may also simply travel directly to the delivery location, so that the customer 50 receiving the package may remove the package 44 from the compartment of the lockbox 22. The driver of vehicle 20B may open lockbox 22 or customer 50 may have a QR code provided in a QWQER application that is scanned by lockbox 22 and triggers lockbox 22 to open. The latter scenario does not require the driver to unlock the lockbox 22 and facilitates the use of the autonomous vehicle with the vehicle 20.

As mentioned, drivers and customers use the QWQER application on their mobile devices, such as the smart phone 42 of customer 40. The mobile device typically communicates over at least a cellular communication network that includes a plurality of cellular communication towers 60. The mobile device may also communicate via Wi-Fi over wireless networks available in many buildings and other locations, with the wireless networks having internet connectivity via communications (such as cable, DSL, fiber optic, satellite, etc.) provided by internet service providers. One or more satellites 70 (such as communication satellites and/or GPS satellites) may also be involved in communicating with the drone 30 and the QWQER application running on mobile devices used by the customer 40 and the driver of the lockbox equipped vehicle 20.

The server 80 runs the background portion of the QWQER application. The server 80 communicates with the vehicle 20, the drone 30, and the QWQER application running on the mobile device through the cellular tower 60, the satellite 70, and other internet connections through local and wide area networks. Other techniques, such as DSRC, RF communication, etc., may also be used to allow the server 80 to communicate with the drone 30 and to know the location of the drone. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the server 80 may be a separate physical device, a cluster of devices operating as a server entity, or may represent only a cloud-based service of a QWQER application.

The server 80 performs at least the following functions in managing the synchronous package delivery system;

receiving a request for package pickup from a customer 40, including tracking the location of the customer 40, collecting information about the package 44, and collecting the destination location of the package 44

Providing the smart phone 42 of the customer 40 with a QR code

Transmitting a fee for package delivery to customer 40 and collecting the fee via any suitable form of electronic payment

Coordinating the location of all lock box equipped vehicles 20 that are currently "online" and available for pick-up and (delivery) delivery work

Broadcasting available pick and post work in QQER applications

Managing each transaction of acceptance of a pick-up or delivery job by a driver, including providing a customer location navigation instruction to the driver, and coordinating the cost of the driver for the job

Performing real-time logistics calculations, including the routes of all packages from their pick-up locations to their delivery locations, and the locations and routes of all lockbox equipped vehicles 20 and drones 30 to complete package delivery

Coordinating the location of all drones 30 currently in service, as well as the package delivery routes of the drones 30 and the planned sites for recharging or battery exchange of the vehicle 20 equipped with the lockbox

Transmitting navigation instructions and other instructions (such as landing, releasing a package, picking up a package, etc.) to each drone 30

Record the delivery of each package to the receiving customer 50 at the destination

Fig. 2A is a top view of a vehicle 20 equipped with a lockbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As described above, the vehicle 20 equipped with the lock box is mounted with a lock box 22 on the roof thereof. As discussed below, lockbox 22 has one or more standard designs, including the features required for the package delivery systems disclosed herein. It is contemplated that the lockbox 22 is a business-owned or business-certified device and is rented or otherwise used by the driver of the vehicle 20.

As seen in fig. 2A, the lock box 22 has a landed frame (landed) 24 on its top surface. The landing gear 24 has visual identification features ("target" appearance) that enable the drone 30 to make positive identifications and reliable landing flight controls. The landing gear 24 is shown in fig. 2A as a simple set of concentric circles, but the landing gear 24 may include any other shape or symbol as desired to provide a uniquely identifiable visual characteristic. The symbol at the top of the landing gear 24 may be a large QR code that the drone 30 can scan and identify the vehicle 20.

Fig. 2B is a side view of a customer 40 delivering a package 44 to a vehicle 20 equipped with a lockbox according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lockbox 22 includes one or more compartments 28 (shown in fig. 3) for receiving customer packages. When the vehicle 20 arrives at the location of the customer 40, the customer 40 holds a smartphone 42 scannable by the scanner 26 on the lockbox 22. Scanner 26 reads the QR code (provided by the QWQER application) from smartphone 42 and opens lockbox 22 to allow customer 40 to place package 44 therein. At this point, package 44 has been received into the QQWR system, and background QWR software running on server 80 calculates how quickly and most efficiently package 44 is delivered to its final destination.

Fig. 3 is an isometric view of the lockbox 22 shown in fig. 2A and 2B, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the lockbox 22 has two internal compartments 28 separated by a partition 29, perhaps one compartment 28 for packages received from customers and another compartment 28 for packages delivered by the driver. The door 27, secured by a latch 34, is openable to allow the package to be placed into or removed from the compartment 28. As shown in FIG. 8, latch 34 includes a slot 33 configured to receive a clasp 35 secured to door 27 therein. The slot 33 includes a locking mechanism (not shown) that selectively prevents the clasp 35 from being removed from the slot 33. The locking mechanism may be a mechanical locking mechanism, a magnetic locking mechanism, or other locking mechanism, as desired. After scanner 26 has scanned the QR code provided by the QWQER on the customer's smartphone 42, the customer may open door 27 so that latch 34 releases clasp 35 from slot 33. The driver may also have a special QR code for opening the door 27, and/or a tool or key for mechanically opening the door 27 in the event of a malfunction of the scanner 26 or a power failure. In other embodiments, the driver may be prohibited or prevented from opening the lockbox 22 to enable safe receipt, transport, and delivery of the package 44. In still other embodiments, vehicle 20 may be an autonomous vehicle without a driver, in which

case customers

40 and 50 open and close lockbox 22 themselves.

Lockbox 22 may be mounted on a track 36, which may be part of vehicle 20, part of lockbox 22, or may be provided separately. Lockbox 22 may have any size and shape suitable for mounting on a vehicle and carrying a package. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the lockbox 22 has a length of slightly more than one meter, about 1¹/₄A width of a meter, and a height of slightly more than 1/2 meters. Many other sizes, shapes and configurations of lockboxes 22 are possible, including larger or smaller sizes, different numbers and sizes of compartments 28, whether doors 27 are placed on the side or the rear, including more than one door 27 and forA separate door 27 to each of the compartments 28, and so on.

Fig. 6A to 6D show various views of the lock box 22. Fig. 6A is a top plan view of the lock box 22 shown in fig. 3. In fig. 6B, a front elevation view of the lockbox 22 of fig. 3 is provided. Fig. 6C is a right side elevational view of the lockbox 22 of fig. 3 rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise from the orientation shown in fig. 6A and 6B. Fig. 6D shows a perspective view of the lockbox 22 of fig. 3 and 6A-6C. A plurality of spaced ribs 50 may be provided at the top and bottom of the lockbox 22 to provide reinforcement and structural rigidity to the lockbox 22. The door 27 is in the closed position and the track 36 is also clearly shown in fig. 6A to 6D.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of lockbox 22 of FIG. 3, showing locks 46 and sensory capture system 48. As shown, lock 46 is an electric or electronic lock. The lock 46 may be used in place of or in conjunction with the controllable latch 34 previously discussed. The sensory capture system 48 cooperates with the lock 46 to remotely control the lock and capture video images. The lock 46 and sensory capture system 48 also include a recorder (such as a video recorder or camcorder), a sensor (such as an infrared sensor), a router (such as a 4G or other router), and a motherboard. The recorder may record video. The sensor controls activation of the lockout control system. The router provides a connection, such as an internet connection or a cellular telephone connection. The motherboard or controller controls the lock 46 and the recorder. When an object approaches, such as within 0.5m, for example, the sensor senses the object and turns on the recorder. For example, the recorder runs for a predetermined time, such as three seconds. In addition, the sensors provide signals that cause the entire lock 46 and sensing capture system 48 to become active. Such as remotely controlling the locking and unlocking of the lock 46 via an IP address. Commands may be sent to lock and unlock, or open and close, lockbox 22 via lock 46 and sensory capture system 48. The commands are sent via the router. The sensory capture system 48 shown in fig. 7 corresponds to the scanner 26 generally discussed in fig. 2B. As shown in fig. 7, the sensory capture system 48 is located proximate the edge of the door 27 where the camera and sensors have an unobstructed field of view in front of the lockbox 22. Other locations for sensing capture system 48 may also be used as desired.

Fig. 4 is a top view 400 of drone and vehicle routing in a synchronized package delivery system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that there are many different options for delivering packages 44 to their destinations using a synchronized delivery system. One option is for the driver of one vehicle 20 to simply encounter the customer at the location of the dispatch customer to pick up the package 44 and take the package 44 to its final destination. This simple option enables quick and efficient delivery of packages, especially when traffic on the road is clear, which only has to travel a few miles or through towns. Another delivery option for the package 44 is to transport it over the air with a drone rather than a vehicle to a destination location. Air-transporting the package 44 with drones is an attractive option when speed is important or when traffic is congested on roads. Drone-based and vehicle-based delivery may of course be combined. Third party delivery companies may also be used for long distance package transportation (e.g., across countries), where a QWQER based synchronized delivery system may be used to receive packages from dispatch customers and deliver to destination locations.

The scenario of fig. 4 is: on the left side of the figure, the vehicle 20A equipped with the lockbox and drone 30A are in a starting position, and on the right side of the figure, the vehicle 20A has a package 44 that needs to be delivered to a customer 50 at his home 52. In this scenario, based on the destination location, the vehicle 20A may only receive the package 44 from the dispatch customer, and the drone 30A is dispatched to the location of the vehicle 20A to begin transporting the package 44 by air. The driver of the vehicle 20 may also request dispatch of a drone using a request function in the QWQER application. Only portions of the vehicle 20 and drone 30 equipped with the lockbox in fig. 4 are labeled with reference numerals, and other examples of the vehicle 20 and drone 30 have reference numerals omitted to reduce clutter in the drawings.

In fig. 4, a number of vehicles equipped with lockboxes are shown. These are all different vehicles in different locations of the city. Also shown in fig. 4 are several drones 30. These may all be different drones, or may be the same drone, with different battery packs installed, the corresponding behaviour being described below. In the delivery scenario of fig. 4, the distance from the initial location at the vehicle 20A to the destination location at the home 52 is too long for the drone 30A to fly without stopping. It is necessary to provide drone recharging stations at some vehicles 20.

A package 44 to be delivered to a customer 50 originates with a vehicle 20A equipped with a lockbox. QQER software, knowing the location of all lockbox equipped vehicles 20 and the location of the package destination (home 52), calculates the optimal flight route from vehicle 20A to home 52. The optimal route in this case includes

segments

410, 412, and 414, involving

vehicles

20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D. The QWQER also considers another

route including segments

420, 422, 424, and 426, but covering longer distances and requiring more vehicles and more drone hops than the optimal route.

Other vehicles 20 equipped with lockboxes are also known as QQER software. However, a portion of these vehicles, shown generally at 430, are located away from any actual route to the home 52 and are not included in any route calculations. In addition, still other vehicles 20 (not shown) may be known by QQWER, but are not included in the optimal route. For example, a vehicle equipped with a lockbox may be located somewhere between

vehicles

20B and 20C, but not in use. This is because the QWQER knows the flight range of the drone 30 and calculates routes with segment lengths that consume most (e.g., 75%) of the drone's full battery capacity.

Based on the known vehicle position and drone flight range, the QQWR server software has calculated the best route along segments 410 through 414. The QWQER then instructs the drivers of the vehicles 20A-20D and the drones 30A-30C to perform package delivery. This is accomplished by attaching the package 44 to the drone 30A flying through the segment 410 to the vehicle 20B. At this point, the drone 30A identifies the vehicle 20B by scanning or camera imaging the identification symbol and target on the landing gear 24 atop the lockbox 22. The drone 30A communicates with the QWQER server that it is ready to land, instructs the vehicle 20B to park if the vehicle 20B is currently moving, and the drone 30A lands on top of the vehicle 20B.

The package 44 is then transferred to the drone 30B for the next segment 412 of the delivery trip. The transfer may be done manually by the driver of the vehicle 20B or the package handling equipment may be fitted to the lock box 22 and drone 30 to automate the package transfer. Alternatively, the driver of the vehicle 20B may swap out the battery pack of the drone 30A with a newly charged battery pack, rather than transferring the package 44 from one drone to another. Battery pack swapping may also be automated. Once the drone 30A has received a new battery pack (or recharge if this can be done in time), it becomes called a drone 30B.

The process described above for segment 410 is then repeated for segment 412, and again for segment 414. When the drone 30C lands on the vehicle 20D, the driver of the vehicle 20D removes the package 44 from the drone 30C and delivers the package to the customer 50. In this way, the package 44 covers the delivery distance across towns completely in the air at the speed of the drone 30, is unaffected by ground traffic conditions, and only stays for a short time for battery pack or package exchange. Since the package 44 travels by air, and due to the logistics of pick up, transport and delivery that is fully automated by QQWER, delivery across towns can be accomplished very quickly and efficiently.

The QWQER also performs other logistics calculations, such as staging of the drone 30 when the drone 30 is not transporting a package from one location to another, and staging of the vehicle 20 when the vehicle 20 equipped with a lockbox is not performing package pick-up or package delivery.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart 500 of a method for picking and delivering packages using a set of vehicles 20 equipped with lockboxes and a set of drones 30. In block 502, a dispatch customer 40 requests a package pickup using the QWR application on his or her smartphone 42. The customer 40 also enters a destination location for the package, such as a street address, or an identifier of a mobile device, such as a phone. In block 504, the QWR software on the server 80 schedules a vehicle 20 to travel to the location of the customer 40 using the location information from the customer's smart phone 42. The QQWR software may inform a particular one of the drivers 20 to indicate that he or she is driving to the customer location, or the software may publish the available pick-up opportunities (and locations) in the QWR application, and a nearby driver 20 may accept the work. The unmanned autonomous vehicle may be dispatched through QQWR software, rather than instructions to the driver.

In block 506, the QWQER application sends a unique QR code to the smart phone 42 of the customer 40. The QR code is transmitted in a QWQER application running on the smartphone 42. In block 508, the lockbox scanner 26 scans the QR code from the phone 42 and opens the lockbox 22, allowing the customer 40 to place the package 44 inside. In block 510, QWQER software determines the best route for the package 44 to reach the destination location. The determination of the optimal route involves a number of factors, including minimizing the time of delivery, minimizing the distance traveled by the vehicles 20 and drones 30, maximizing the number of parcels carried by each vehicle 20 as it travels along the route, and the like.

In block 512, the package is transported from the origin location (where the driver encountered customer 40) to the destination location. As previously described, package transportation may include any combination of land travel by one or more vehicles 20 and flight by one or more drones 30. In one example, a drone 30 picks up a package 44 at an origin location and flies multiple routes (battery replacement or recharging by a vehicle 20 at each station) to a destination location where a driver of one vehicle 20 takes the package 44 from the drone 30 and delivers it to a customer 50.

In another example of package transportation, the driver of the vehicle 20 brings the package 44 directly or indirectly to a destination, with or without other packages present in the lockbox 22. One vehicle 20 may also take the package 44 part-way to its destination and transfer the package 44 to another vehicle 20 traveling in the direction of the destination of the package 44. And may also be transferred to a third party carrier for long distance transport. In any case where the vehicle 20, drone 30, or combination thereof is transported in block 514, the package 44 terminates at its destination location and the driver of one vehicle 20 delivers the package to the customer 50.

In much of the discussion above, the vehicle 20 has been described as being driven by a driver using a QQWER application. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the vehicle 20 may be an autonomous vehicle, and instead of a driver using a QQWER application, the autonomous vehicle 20 is controlled and dispatched directly by QQWER software running on the server 80. In an autonomous vehicle embodiment, lockbox 22 would be configured to allow a customer to place a package inside or remove a package. This is accomplished by the previously discussed sensing capture system 48, latch 34 and lock 46. An automatically controllable door closing mechanism (such as those commonly used on motor vehicle lift doors) may also be provided in the lockbox 22.

As will be well understood by those skilled in the art, the various steps and processes discussed herein to describe the present invention may refer to the operation of a computer, processor or other electronic computing device that manipulates and/or transforms data using electrical phenomena. Including a server 80 running at least QWQER software, a smartphone 42 running a QWQER application, and a motherboard or controller in the sensing capture system 48, the computer and electronic device may employ various volatile and/or non-volatile memories including a non-transitory computer-readable medium with an executable program comprising various coded or executable instructions capable of being executed by a computer or processor, wherein the memory and/or computer-readable medium may include all forms and types of memory and other computer-readable media.

While various exemplary aspects and embodiments of a synchronized delivery system have been described above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A synchronized package delivery system, the system comprising:

one or more vehicles, each vehicle including a lockbox configured for receiving and securing packages for delivery, wherein the respective vehicle is driven by a driver having a mobile device configured to run a synchronized delivery application ("app");

one or more aerial drones, each aerial drone capable of carrying one or more of said packages, wherein each aerial drone comprises a communication system and a navigation system; and

a server computer in wireless communication with the drones and with the app on the mobile device of each of the drivers, wherein the server computer is configured to run a synchronized delivery program, and wherein the program calculates a route for each package to transport from an origin location to a destination location, and the program calculates the route based on factors including: minimizing delivery time, minimizing distance traveled by the vehicle and the drone, maximizing the number of packages carried by each of the vehicles while traveling along the route, ensuring that the distance of each drone flight leg is less than a maximum allowable range.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the lockbox is attached to a roof of each of the vehicles.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the lockbox comprises a plurality of compartments, at least one door having a latch, and a scanner configured to read a QR code and cause the door to unlock and open when the QR code is valid.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the origin location is a location where the vehicle meets a customer from which a package is picked up.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the customer at the origin location requests a package pickup using a mobile device running the app, the program communicates the origin location to one or more drivers using the app, one of the drivers accepts the request for package pickup and travels to the origin location, the lock box scans an app-provided QR code from the customer's smartphone and unlocks a door to a compartment in the lock box, and the customer places the package in the compartment.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the routing comprises: delivering the package to the destination location via the vehicle traveling to the origin location.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the routing comprises: one of the drones picks up a package from a first one of the vehicles at the origin location and air-ships the package directly to the destination location, whereupon the drone lands on a second one of the vehicles and the driver of the second vehicle retrieves the package from the drone and delivers the package to a person or place at the destination location.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein when a stop station is required in the routing to avoid exceeding a drone flight range, the drone lands on one or more additional vehicles, and the driver of each of the one or more additional vehicles replaces or recharges a battery pack in the drone to enable the drone to continue the routing.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the routing comprises: transporting a package from the origin location to a first transfer station using a combination of the drone and the vehicle, where a third party delivery service transports the package from the first transfer station to a second transfer station, and transports the package from the second transfer station to the destination location using a combination of the drone and the vehicle.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein each vehicle may be online or offline at any particular time, wherein vehicle online indicates that the driver of the vehicle has indicated in the app that the vehicle is available for package pick and delivery and for drone rendezvous.

11. A method for pick-up and delivery of a package, the method comprising:

providing one or more vehicles and one or more aerial drones for package pickup and delivery;

requesting, by a customer using a mobile device configured to run a synchronized delivery application ("app"), pickup of a package, wherein the customer also enters a destination location of the package in the app;

arranging for one of the vehicles to travel to a starting location to meet the customer, wherein the arranging is performed by a synchronized delivery software program running on a server computer having a processor and memory, wherein the server computer is in communication with the app running on any mobile device and with the aerial drone;

sending, by the synchronized delivery software program, a unique QR code to the app on the mobile device of the customer;

scanning the QR code from the mobile device through a lockbox mounted to the vehicle traveling to the origin location to cause the lockbox to open;

placing the package in the lockbox by the customer;

determining, by the synchronous delivery software program, an optimal routing of the package from the origin location to the destination location;

transporting the package from the origination location to the destination location using one or more vehicles, one or more drones, or both; and is

Delivering, by one of the vehicles, the package to a person or place at the destination location.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: designating, by a driver of each of the vehicles using a mobile device configured to run the synchronized delivery app, that each of the vehicles in a group of vehicles is online or offline, wherein online means that the driver of the vehicle has indicated in the app that the vehicle is available for package pickup and delivery and for drone rendezvous.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein scheduling one of the vehicles to travel to the starting location comprises: a package pickup job is published in the app where a driver of one of the online vehicles can accept the job.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein scheduling one of the vehicles to travel to the starting location comprises: instructing a driver of one of the online vehicles to travel to the starting location.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein scheduling one of the vehicles to travel to the starting location comprises: providing instructions from the synchronized delivery software program to an autonomous vehicle that travels to the origin location and receives the package from the customer.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the lockbox comprises a plurality of compartments, a door having a latch, and a scanner configured to read the QR code and cause the door to unlock and open when the QR code is valid.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the optimal routing of the package comprises: considering a minimization of delivery time, a minimization of distance traveled by said vehicle and said drone, a maximization of the number of parcels carried by each of said vehicles when travelling along a route, ensuring that the distance of each drone flight leg is less than a maximum allowable range.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein transporting the package from the origination location to the destination location comprises: the package is shipped to the destination location by the vehicle traveling to the origin location.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein transporting the package from the origination location to the destination location comprises: one or more unmanned aerial vehicle flight legs, wherein unmanned aerial vehicle flight leg includes: one of the drones picks up the package from a first one of the vehicles and airships to a meeting point for landing on a second one of the vehicles, whereupon the driver of the second one of the vehicles receives the package or re-energizes the drone by replacing or recharging a battery pack in the drone.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein transporting the package from the origination location to the destination location comprises: transporting a package from the origin location to a first transfer station using a combination of the drone and the vehicle, where a third party delivery service transports the package from the first transfer station to a second transfer station, and transports the package from the second transfer station to the destination location using a combination of the drone and the vehicle.